TREATMENT OF BEE DISEASES. 21 



keepers in this matter it is safe to assume that this explanation of 

 the disease is the correct one, and consequently great care should 

 be exercised that the colonies are provided with good stores for 

 winter. 



Recently it has been claimed that there are two types of dysentery, 

 one form as above described and another form which is infectious. 

 American beekeepers are not familiar with an infectious dysentery, 

 and in practical manipulations it is necessary to consider only the 

 type above described. 



THE SO-CALLED PARALYSIS. 



It is quite possible that under the name "paralysis" are included 

 several distinct diseases. This is indicated by the variety of symp- 

 toms reported by beekeepers and the number of different seasons and 

 conditions under which the disease is supposed to occur. The usual 

 manifestation described is that the worker bees are seen crawling in 

 front of the hive with their abdomens trembling. The abdomens 

 are also frequently distended. The bees often climb grass blades 

 and on attempting to fly from the top fall again to the ground. 

 Frequently the bees so affected are almost hairless. The same trem- 

 bling motion may often be observed on opening the hive. The colony 

 is often depleted very rapidly. There is no evidence that the disease 

 is infectious. 



The cause of this peculiar trouble is unknown, and no remedy can 

 be recommended. It is claimed by some writers that a salt-water 

 spray applied to the combs or salt or sulphur sprinkled on the top 

 bars or entrance is sometimes an effective remedy. 



ISLE OF WIGHT DISEASE. 



Recently a supposedly infectious disease of adult bees has deci- 

 mated the bees on the Isle of Wight and is said to be spreading in 

 England. It resembles somewhat the so-called paralysis. No treat- 

 ment other than destruction to prevent the spread of the disease has 

 been recommended. So far as is known no trouble of this kind has 

 been experienced in America. 



SPRIN,G DWINDLING. 



It sometimes happens that the adult bees in a colony die off in the 

 spring more rapidly than they are replaced by emerging brood. 

 This dwindling may be diminished somewhat by keeping the colony 

 warm and by stimulative feeding, so that all of the energy of the 

 old bees may be used to the best advantage. This condition is prob- 

 ably due to the fact that the colony goes into winter with too large 

 a percentage of old worn-out bees. To prevent this, brood rearing 

 should be continued as late as possible in the fall; if necessary, by 

 stimulative feeding. 



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